Kicking problems concern Meyer

Monday

Sep 25, 2006 at 12:01 AM

BY MARK LONGThe Associated Press

GAINESVILLE - Florida coach Urban Meyer wants to get his team's kicking woes worked out soon.
He might need to, especially with the fifth-ranked Gators playing their next four games against Southeastern Conference heavyweights Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Georgia. The stretch probably will determine Florida's fate this season.
And the kicking game could be key.
The Gators (4-0, 2-0) haven't made a field goal this season and have had trouble with extra points - cause for concern as they prepare for Saturday's game against Alabama.
"We'll have that figured out," Meyer said Sunday. "We're going to go get it done. We didn't play very well at that position, and the confidence isn't there. You can't just say it's the kicker. We've got to get it corrected, and we're going to go work extremely hard on that."
Florida had two extra points blocked in a 26-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday night. The Gators now have failed to convert five point-after attempts this season.
They had two bad snaps in the first two games - one in the opener against Central Florida and another the following week against Southern Mississippi - that led to failed 2-point conversion attempts. They also had an extra point blocked in the opener.
The problems continued against Tennessee. Place-kicker Chris Hetland missed field-goal attempts of 52 and 47 yards.
Hetland got another chance against Kentucky. He lined up for a 39-yard attempt in the fourth quarter, but the Gators faked the kick and tried to score on a fourth-and-goal play from the 22-yard line.
Holder Butch Rowley picked up the ball and sprinted around the left end. He was supposed to pitch to Hetland, but he was tackled for a 3-yard gain.
"It was a touchdown," Meyer said. "All we have to do is go pitch the ball. They put three people through the (middle gap), and normally if you do that, you're susceptible on the edge. And they were. It was a touchdown. All we have to do is execute the play. All we got to do it pitch the ball to the kicker and now it's just a foot race."
Despite passing on the field goal, Meyer said he has confidence in Hetland. The senior made 13 of 16 attempts last season, including a long of 47 yards. Hetland made all three tries against Tennessee a year ago that proved to be the difference in a 16-7 victory.
The kicking game hasn't been nearly as good this season.
"I'm going to look at the whole operation," Meyer said. "I'm not pleased with the whole operation, and there's more than just the kicker involved in that. That's going to be a point of emphasis Monday. Probably should have been more of that already, but I had a lot of confidence going into the season that he would make those field goals because he did a year ago. I think he'll hit those field goals."
Meyer said the botched extra points were more concerning.
He said the Wildcats crowded several players around the long-snapper, got pressure up the middle and blocked both kicks - one of which was a little low.
"There was penetration there pretty much the whole night," Meyer said. "I don't think the long-snapper's job is safe. I don't think the left guard on field goal is safe. We just have to get better. We don't have many choices. We're going to re-evaluate that."